What is coastal grandma style? It's the perfect summer look for women over 60. But...

Coastal grandma style, the fashion concept that consists of, for the most part, breezy linens and soft, neutral colors, is the perfect look for women over 60. It’s light, it’s cool, it’s effortless. But for women our age it can also look frumpy. We have a few tips for turning dowdy to dreamy.

Reminiscent of Diane Keaton in “Something’s Gotta Give,” the trend is all about casual, seaside-inspired elegance. But the term “coastal grandma” was coined by a young Tik Tok influencer, Lex Nicoleta, as a style to be adopted by her peers. There are several fashion principles that define the look.

Clothing is soft and unstructured in neutral tones that mimic the seashore–sand, sky, and sea–for a peaceful monochromatic look.
Accessories like hats and bags are made of natural materials like straw and canvas. The bucket hat is the preferred style this season, but find a style that is flattering to you. Jewelry is understated and should echo the seaside.
Fabrics are always natural (no synthetics allowed). Linen, cotton, and hemp are the quintessential fabrics for the coastal grandma style.

We are not slaves to trends, though. For coastal grandma to work for women who may, in fact, be grandmothers, we need to slightly push the envelope. A subtle print here. An interesting accessory there. Here’s how we do coastal grandma.

Breezy tops

Linen or cotton tops with a simple fit and hip length embodies the ease of coastal grandma. Sleeveless tunics or oversize shirts, they pair beautifully with crops, pants, and long skirts. Banded linen tunic, FLAX; Gold earrings, Anthropologie; Straw hat, Wyeth USA; Crops, FLAX

FLAX sleeveless tunic Coastal Grandma style — *Image credit: FLAX*

A button-down, sleeveless blouse in 100% linen that is simply beautiful. It’s ideal for layering. In cream (shown here) and other colors in handkerchief and medium weight linen. FLAX.

Linen tee shirt — *Image credit: Linen Woman*

A relaxed linen t-shirt with a high rounded neckline and cuffed short sleeves. Finished with a wide hem, it lands just below the hip in length. Linen Woman.

Handkerchief linen shirt with Mandarin collar — *Image credit: Eileen Fisher*

Crisp yet relaxed. An airy mandarin collar shirt in lightweight organic linen with natural texture. Eileen Fisher.

MANGO oversized white shirt — *Image credit: Nordstrom*

Designed in a slouchy, oversized fit, this crisp poplin shirt brings a menswear-inspired vibe to your look. Nordstrom.

Effortless pants and skirts

Imagine a gentle sea breeze fluttering your soft, light pants or easy slip-on skirt. That’s quintessential coastal grandma. And while we are loyal to our whisper-weight linen floods, we’re open to adding a bit of pizzazz with layered looks like the capris above. Minibee Layered Capri, Amazon; Coastal Tunic linen tank top, FLAX; Sand & Shore Earrings,J.Jill.

FLAX wide leg linen pants for Coastal Grandma look — *Image credit: FLAX*

These wide leg linen pants in a muted stripe are flattering yet comfortable for an effortless yet sophisticated look. FLAX

FLAX flowing white linen pants — *Image credit: FLAX*

White pants are a summer staple. These wide leg, flowing linen pants with an easy fit communicates an effortless yet refined look. FLAX.

Tapered linen pants from Poetry — *Image credit: Poetry Fashion*

Featuring a textured, dog-tooth check, these linen trousers have an easy, tapered leg that crops in at the ankle. Poetryfashion.com

Ivory linen midi skirt coastal grandma — *Image credit: Nordstrom*

Treasure & Bond’s crisp linen-blend skirt with asymmetric button placket is the perfect choice for a sunny day. Nordstrom

Airy, flowy dresses

Whisper-weight linen or cotton batiste dresses may be the perfect answer to a blazing hot summer day. Resting only on your shoulders, they allow air to circulate and cool the whole body. Fortunately for would-be coastal grandma, they come in stylish cuts and colors. Cascading Linen Maxi Dress, FLAX; UI N Lily Sn eakers, Amazon. Niction Straw Bag, Amazon; MINU Women’s Blue Shell Necklace, Himelhochs.

FLAX linen dress summer — *Image credit: FLAX*

Roomy and comfortable, pair this dress with an easy jacket or wrap to dress it up. Flax.

Midi dress Coastal Grandma style — *Image credit: Natural Life*

Designed in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, and made of a cotton gauze material, this midi’s relaxed fit makes it easy to throw on and go. Natural Life.

Long white cotton linen dress Coastal Grandma style — *Image credit: Amazon*

Styled in 100% cotton, comfortable and highly wearable, this caftan clearly resonates with the coastal grandma style. Amazon.

Breton-style stripes

For cooler days it wouldn’t be coastal without striped tops, inspired by the fishing communities of Brittany. Keeping to the nautical theme, coastal grandmas choose simple blue and white or soft neutral stripes that blend with the whites and naturals of their summer wardrobe. MINQUIDAME Breton Striped Shirt, Saint James; Eileen Fisher Organic Linen Wrap Skirt, Eileen Fisher; Carolina Summer Cloche, Coolibar; Women’s Angelfish Boat Shoe, Sperry.

Poetry striped shirt coastal grandma — *Image credit: Poetry*

Comfortably oversized in soft, lightweight cotton, this oversized shirt features dropped shoulders and wide, three-quarter length sleeves. Poetry.

Saint James PHARE striped tunic tee — *Image credit: Saint James*

This PHARE boat neck striped tunic marries influences from French Navy design and modern Breton style. Saint James.

Vineayrd Vines blue white stripe shirt — *Image credit: Nordstrom*

Slouchy dropped shoulders and clean stripes with diagonal seaming give this soft t-shirt a fresh look. Nordstrom.

Treasure Bond stripe cotton tunic shirt — Image credit: Nordstrom

This loose-fitting woven tunic is made from gauzy cotton with classic menswear detailing, making it easy to style from day to night. Nordstrom.

LLBean striped cowlneck pullover — *Image credit: LL Bean*

Made of the world’s finest cotton– Supima–with a touch of stretch, this cowlneck long-sleeve stripe tee is exceptionally comfortable. LL Bean.

Light, natural sweaters and wraps

When the sun sets add a layer to your already fabulous coastal grandma wardrobe to ward off night’s chill. Sweaters and toppers in linen, cotton, and cashmere complement the fabrics of your day outfit. Neutral tones prevail, although a soft color adds some interest. Cotton Side-tie Sweater,Garnet Hill; French Market Basket, Amazon; Hera Bracelet, Baubleba r; High-twist Tapered Linen Trousers, Poetry.

Pale aqua cashmere boatneck sweater coastal grandma — *Image credit: Poetry*

A casual yet very luxurious 100% cashmere sweater with three-quarter length dolman sleeves and a wide boat-neck. Poetry.

JJill lavender wave sweater Coastal Grandma — *Image credit: J. Jill*

Lavender-tinged Abstract-Waterfall Textured Pullover is knit with cotton-rich yarns and rib stitching. A wide crew neckline, dropped shoulders and 3/4 sleeves add a casually feminine touch J. Jill

Linen cowl neck top in teal — *Image credit: Lousje & Bean Boutique*

A relaxed-fitting top made from natural, mélange linen. Teal is a classic shade for the coastal grandma look. Style with natural skirt or trousers. Lousje & Bean Boutique.

Gauzy linen topper — *Image credit: Free People*

This flowing kimono is perfect for layering during any season and gives the most effortlessly chic touch to any outfit. Free People

loose cardigan in Turkish linen — *Image credit: Pokoloko*

Design in an oversized style, this two-layer crinkle muslin texture is incredibly soft on the skin. Pokoloko.

Put your own stamp on the style

Coastal grandma is a simple style, shapeless, colorless, yet so comfortable the clothes are ideal for a hot, hot summer. That’s not to say you can’t add some personality to your look. While the kids (anyone under 40) may sport the bucket hat this year, we are not so constrained. Bags, shoes, jewelry–all offer ways to add your personal stamp.

Back tie straw hat coastal grandma — *Image credit: Amazon*

This natural paper straw sun hat will protect you from the sun’s rays up to UPF 50+, Amazon.

Patterned butter yelow bucket hat coastal grandma — *Image credit: Modi Operandi*

Lack of Color’s ‘Wave’ style hat is made from a soft cotton terry that’s been tested with a UPF rating of 50+. Perfect for sunny beach days, Modi Operandi

Gingham straw hat coastal grandma style — *Image credit: Madewell*

With a woven windowpane pattern, this wide-brim straw hat is perfectly oversized for the coastal grandma. Madewell.

Floppy straw sun hat coastal grandma — *Image credit: Amazon*

This floppy brim straw beach hat protects from the sun while adding some polish to your grandma look, Amazon.

Wyeth straw hat coastal grandma — *Image credit: Wyeth USA*

Go wild. Wyeth’s Marley ultra-wide brim boater is made of seagrass straw and features a raw fringed brim. Wyeth USA.

straw tote bag — *Image credit: Sea & Grass*

This handmade tote has a traditional weave that is warm and feminine. The bag pattern is made of natural seagrass found wild in Thailand. Sea & Grass.

Furla French market bag — *Image credit: Nordstrom*

Furla Meraviglia’s large woven straw tote with smooth leather trim for a refined contrast is ideal for travel. Nordstrom

Coastal grandmas will be ready for the beach, the farmer’s market, the local boardwalk with this hand-woven straw beach tote. Amazon.

Image credit: Tory Burch

This Seaside Oxford Espadrille naturally pairs with the season’s skirts and dresses for the relaxed feel so essential to the coastal grandma vibe. Tory Burch.

Del Mar Rope Sandals Coastal Grandma look — *Image credit: Matisse Footwear*

The Del Mar platform sandal is beach-ready with its all-over braided raffia design and a thick single band that lends itself to casual wear. matissefootwear.com

Cole Haan espadrilles — *Image credit: Cole Haan*

The Cole Haan Cloudfeel Espadrille Loafer in sesame, is made of knitted fabric, suede, and jute, with a dual-density internal wedge for a mixture of premium comfort and support. Cole Haan.

Swirl circle gold earrings from Susan Shaw coastal grandma collection — *Image credit: Susan Shaw*

Playful Swirl Cut Out Earrings from Susan Shaw work from day to evening. Available in triple plated 24K gold or hand-cast sterling silver plating. Handmade to order in San Antonio, TX. Susan Shaw

Gold and opal earrings — *Image credit: Anthropologie*

Add a luminous accent with theses Shades of Sea opal earrings starring iridescent inset stones in an open-hoop silhouette. From Anthropolgie.

JJill island delight earrings brass and wood — *Image credit: J. Jill*

J Jill’s versatile Island Delight Circle Earrings are designed with a wood bead set atop a hammered gold-tone disk. They add the perfect touch of shine to both casual and more refined outfits. J.Jill

Emaled tile and glass bracelet Baublebar — *Image credit: Baublebar*

This pleated, beaded bracelet from Baublebar features a hint of enamel for a pop of color, as well as sparkly glass beads. baublebar.

Image credit: Susan Shaw

Handmade to order, these three hammered bangles are also in the Susan Shaw coastal Grandmother collection. Susan Shaw.

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What is coastal grandma style? It’s the perfect summer look for women over 60. But…